Representative Mike Callton: 'No excuse for mess in Washington'

Tuesday

Oct 1, 2013 at 11:19 PMOct 1, 2013 at 11:19 PM

During the past three years, I have worked with my fellow lawmakers to ensure our state government remains accountable and efficient. In those efforts, we have dedicated much consideration to reforming spending, balancing the state budget, and constructing an environment that attracts new jobs and raises the standard of living for Michigan families.

Representative Mike Callton

Dear Friends,

During the past three years, I have worked with my fellow lawmakers to ensure our state government remains accountable and efficient. In those efforts, we have dedicated much consideration to reforming spending, balancing the state budget, and constructing an environment that attracts new jobs and raises the standard of living for Michigan families.

As I'm sure you are now aware, the federal government has not used the Michigan model for efficiency. Our elected officials in Washington D.C. have failed to work together to produce a workable budget, and the federal government is now effectively shut down. On the contrary, I want to assure you that all state offices and departments remain open, as we passed our state budget four months early, without going into debt or entertaining partisan gridlock.

During the last few years, we have remained committed to working through tough decisions and coming up with solutions that are most beneficial to Michigan taxpayers. The result is that we have paid down more than $21 billion in debt and put $580 million in the state's rainy day fund.

There is no excuse for the mess in Washington, as this did not happen overnight. The federal government shutdown is a result of a pattern of inaction by people who were elected to represent us and have failed to do so. Please know that I will continue to work on the issues that remain before us and ensure Michigan is a place where our children and grandchildren can enjoy an improved quality of life, with a state government that works for them.